Burnley V Peterborough at Turf Moor : Match Preview

14 September 2012 11:31

Healthy Clarets for Howe
Burnley boss Eddie Howe has a virtually clean bill of health as he looks to turn around a run of three consecutive npower Championship defeats when the Clarets entertain Peterborough.
Forward Martin Paterson is fit to play a part after a hamstring injury ruled him out of Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Luxembourg.
Paterson opened the scoring in the opening day derby win over Bolton at Turf Moor but suffered a grade one tear later in that match and the Clarets' fortunes have plummeted in his absence.
Brighton ran out 3-1 winners in east Lancashire a fortnight ago following losses on the road at Middlesbrough and Huddersfield.
Striker Danny Ings remains on the sidelines with a knee cartilage injury, but the former Bournemouth youngster received a boost last week when he learned his recovery is likely to take three months - not the six initially feared.
New signing Kane Ferdinand could make his full Peterborough debut.
Ferdinand, a #200,000 addition from Southend during the last transfer window, will be included in the squad that travels to Turf Moor and could be a surprise starter. Manager Darren Ferguson was impressed with Ferdinand's performance in a reserve-team match against Luton this week, even though he described the 3-0 defeat as `disgusting and embarrassing.'
"Kane is going to be a big player for us. He can play in several midfield positions, which suits the way we play," said Ferguson. "He can play in the centre of midfield or on the right of a diamond. He will certainly be with the first-team in Burnley and he could even start."
Winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who has not played a minute of competitive football this campaign after suffering a hamstring injury during a pre-season friendly at Stevenage, could be another starter in Lancashire on Saturday after also impressing Ferguson against Luton.
Kgosi Ntlhe will be assessed for fatigue as the teenage left-back did not get back to England until Thursday morning following South Africa's home win over Mozambique on Tuesday.
Full-back Craig Alcock and midfielder Danny Kearns are pushing for a return to the starting line-up.